Dementia

Remembering Miss Ethel
How Anderson Cooper’s “All There Is” Became A Life-Saver

On the 15th annual observance of Miss Ethel's passing and burial (August 6, 2011), sharing Anderson Cooper's grief podcast could not be a more fitting tribute to her courageous walk with Alzheimer's over a 14 year period. Anderson's deep empathy towards people suffering grief and loss has made his podcast, [...]

365 Ways to Say I Care
WAY #16 – Take a Simple Picnic to a Local Park or Lake

  Why this helps: A change of scenery can be transformative. A simple picnic—at a nearby park, a lake, or a quiet garden—offers fresh air, gentle movement, and the comfort of familiar outdoor sights. This is especially valuable during the early stages when ambulation is still possible. It's a break [...]

Featured Voices Speaking Out
No Longer a Private Family Matter: A conversation which challenges assumptions affecting caregiving

Our interview with Dr. Joan DelFattore is a must-read! From her phenomenal personal recovery to uncovering outdated and discriminatory policies directing the quality of our care, how it is provided, and by whom! This is tremendously important research on inequities in the health care system which are based on stereotypes [...]

365 Ways to Say I Care
Way #15: Splash Water on Hands and Feet on a Hot Day

Why this helps: On a sweltering summer afternoon, the simple sensation of cool water can be deeply calming and refreshing. This activity is especially helpful if your loved one is restless, agitated, or overheated. The change in temperature is a powerful sensory input that can interrupt a cycle of anxiety [...]

PERSON-CENTERED ADVOCACY
Most Americans prefer to die at home, but the US healthcare system often prevents it

Talking about the dying process early can be supportive for caregivers and their loved ones.   Authors:  Karen Lutfey Spencer, University of Colorado Denver and Jane Callahan, North Carolina Central University Ask people what they want at the end of their lives, and overwhelmingly the answers will revolve around comfort, [...]

Ms. Digest for Dementia Carers
No Longer a Private Family Matter: The caregiving crisis hiding in plain sight — and what it’s really costing American families

Somewhere tonight, a daughter is learning to insert a feeding tube using YouTube. Her mother, who once taught her how to tie her shoelaces, no longer recognizes her face. The home health aide hasn't shown up in three days. That image stopped me mid-scroll. Not because it was shocking, but [...]

Living in a grief illiterate world
We don’t move on… We move forward

David Kessler is an American author, public speaker, and grief expert. He has published many books, including two co-written with psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, MD.  Looking to him as a leading grief expert when seeking support, we can be comforted knowing he is well-informed and providing reliable information on the topic. [...]

365 Ways to Say I Care
Way #13: Read a Short Summer Story Aloud

  Why this helps: Reading aloud is different from poetry (Way #2). A short story—just a few pages—offers a narrative arc, characters, and a gentle plot. This can be more engaging for some people while still being low-pressure. Summer-themed stories about beaches, gardens, or family gatherings can spark seasonal memories.  [...]

Featured Caregiver - Neal Shah
63 million caregivers get nothing. This former hedge fund manager is fighting back

Neal K. Shah left a $250 million hedge fund to fix a system that failed his own family. After caring for his grandfather through dementia and his wife through a multi-year cancer battle, he saw firsthand what 63 million family caregivers already know: the care system in America is completely [...]

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